B/R Recruiting Notebook: Top Prospects Narrow Down Options, Set Visits

This past weekend, from a college football recruiting standpoint, was a quiet one. Only five 2017 players and one 2018 player reportedly announced their verbal commitments since Friday.

The big name of that group was OrTre Smith, a 4-star wide receiver who chose South Carolina on Sunday, per his Twitter account. Smith, the nation's No. 16 receiver, picked the Gamecocks over Clemson, Georgia and North Carolina.

This weekend could be a big one, recruitingwise, as several teams are expected to host big official visits around the country. There are several 2017 athletes, however, still weighing their options. Here's a look at some of the nation's top athletes and where they stand with recruiting.

Top 4 solid, but which school intrigues 4-star LB Taylor?

Credit: 247Sports

Auburn, Alabama, Oklahoma and Georgia are considered the top four schools for Buford, Georgia, 4-star linebacker Tyler Taylor. All four schools, Taylor said, are expected to get an official visit sometime this fall.

The question is, which school will get that fifth visit? Taylor said the battle may come down to Oklahoma State and LSU.

"I like the coaching staffs at both schools. They always tell me they need linebackers," Taylor said. "LSU hasn't really recruited linebackers the last two years, and Oklahoma State's getting low [on linebackers] and could use some depth. I'm looking at the chances of possibly playing as a freshman."

Now standing 6'3" and weighing 230 pounds, Taylor said he probably won't make a verbal commitment until the fall or winter during basketball season. In addition to being the nation's No. 12 inside linebacker, he also is a versatile athlete on the basketball court, someone who can play all frontcourt positions and also handle the ball if necessary.

For now, he is focused on taking his official visits. An Oklahoma visit is on deck this weekend, as he said he'll be in Norman to watch the Sooners host Ohio State.

"I just want another feel of the place," said Taylor, who visited Oklahoma unofficially this past summer. "I want to get there and have the game-day experience and atmosphere. I like the coaches there and how they let their linebackers play. I feel like the linebackers get the chance to run around and really show their athleticism."

A favorite for 4-star DL Conliffe?

With 26 reported offers, Hampton, Virginia, 4-star defensive lineman Elijah Conliffe is wanted for his versatility. At 6'4" and 305 pounds, he is built to play defensive tackle, but he's quick enough to also line up as a defensive end at the next level.

Conliffe, who is ranked as the nation's No. 11 strong-side defensive end, released his top 11 in June. On Sunday, he said seven schools—Alabama, Penn State, Oklahoma, USC, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Virginia Tech—will be considered when he ultimately makes his verbal commitment. He said a decision could come sometime next month.

"It's all been a really humbling experience," Conliffe said about his process. "I'm seeing how all these programs are looking at me, and it's really a shock. I never expected it to get to where it is today. I thank God for it every day."

Alabama is considered a heavy favorite in Conliffe's recruiting, according to his 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions. Penn State could be a dark-horse pick, and Virginia Tech is hoping to land and sign a big, in-state prospect.

Conliffe wouldn't say which school, but he admitted that one school is pulling away from the pack. And while he spoke highly of the school, he added that there's still time for the other programs to gain ground.

"I like the fact that they welcome players to be engineers and be football players at the same time. That's something big to me," Conliffe said of the silent leader. "I love how they do business, and I love the passion of the coaches. I want to be somewhere where I know they'll work hard to get me to where I need to be."

Notre Dame official visit next up for 4-star LB

Credit: Student Sports

Nashville, Tennessee, 4-star linebacker Jacob Phillips is one of two athletes among the state's top 10 players still uncommitted. And as he continues his five-week official visit tour and inches closer to a verbal commitment, Phillips said he feels no pressure with the process.

No pressure in choosing the right school. No pressure in making a decision during a certain timeline. And, perhaps more important to those trying to keep him close to home, no pressure in playing out of state.

"All of my top schools are kind of far, except for Alabama," said Phillips, who is considering Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Oregon. "My parents have supported me in my decisions, and it's been great having them involved with official visits."

Phillips visited Oregon on an official visit the weekend of Sept. 3 and is fresh off an official visit from Oklahoma, a visit in which he gave high marks. Notre Dame is next up this weekend, as Phillips will watch the Fighting Irish host Michigan State.

From there, Phillips will take official visits to Alabama the weekend of Sept. 24 and LSU the weekend of Oct. 1. The 6'3 ½", 228-pound athlete, ranked the nation's No. 7 inside linebacker, said he will make a verbal commitment around mid-October.

"It's just a blessing to be able to take [officials] and be able to go with my parents," he said. "All of the schools have what I want. It's just a matter of making the right decision for me."

Versatile 3-star DB Andrews narrowing his options

Credit: 247Sports

Monroe, Louisiana, 3-star defensive back JaCorion Andrews, at 6'0" and 191 pounds, has the build to play either cornerback or safety at the next level. When the Neville High School standout speaks to colleges, he rarely defines himself as either-or.

Fortunately for him, assigning him a position now is irrelevant. Colleges simply want his talent, as he has 13 reported offers. Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Tennessee and Kansas are among the schools in the running for his services, he told Bleacher Report.

"I've narrowed it down," he said, "and I hear a lot of people saying I'm going to Arkansas. I like Arkansas—they're showing me a lot of love—but I'm not leaning any way. I like all the schools, and I'm open."

Arkansas will get the first opportunity to set the tone as Andrews will soon take an official visit to Fayetteville. He said the visit date has yet to be finalized, but the Razorbacks have upcoming home games Saturday against Texas State and on Oct. 8 against Alabama.

Tennessee is a school to keep an eye on, as it was his first offer as a sophomore. He believes that by choosing Oklahoma State or Kansas, he could compete for early playing time at multiple positions in the secondary.

"Wherever I go, I want to win. Winning is definitely a big thing for me," he said. "I also want a place where I'm cool with the coaches, where I can learn a lot and where I can get a good education."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles.